Gilded Wings (27 page)

AFTER ALL THE GUESTS LEFT and everyone else went to bed, Kade held my hand and walked me outside. The night air was cool and crisp, enlivening me as it brushed against my bare skin.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“For our honeymoon,” he replied, as a crooked grin adorned his perfect lips. “Where would you like to go?”

“What are my options?”

His magnificent white wings appeared behind his back.

“Anywhere your heart desires.”

“Right now?” I squeaked.

“Yes, right now.” He winked making my pulse race. “I don’t want to wait another minute.”

“What about packing?”

“You don’t need to pack,” he answered.

“How long will we be gone?”

“As long as we like. Alaine and Samuel already know.”

“Well,” I said, knowing there was no way of making a decision. “Why don’t you surprise me?”

His lips turned up on both sides. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He grabbed me by the waist and secured me firmly against the length of his hard body. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he shot up into the air. I screamed and laughed as we entered the darkened sky. The stars sparkled extra bright tonight, as if they were celebrating with us.

He secured me in his arms, against his solid chest; his silky white wings glistened lightly under the stars and moonlight. The cool night air whispered in my ear, sending a chill down my spine, so I hugged him closer. Each flap of his wings sent a charge through me, filling me with want and desire. I felt his arms tighten even more, pressing our bodies even closer.

His eyes were secured on mine and I was spellbound, mesmerized by the swirling liquid gold within them. His lips brushed against my cheek, and slowly found my lips, kissing me ever so gently.

“Where are you taking me?” I breathed.

“To our place,” he answered.

“We have a place?”

“We do,” he grinned.

“And where exactly is this place?”

“You’ll see in just a minute.” He kissed the tip of my nose, and flapped his wings, flying faster and higher.

“You aren’t taking me to the moon, are you?”

“I could, if that’s where you want to go,” he grinned.

But then I saw it, a tiny shimmer in the atmosphere, a ripple which was invisible to the human eye.

“Is that a portal?”

“It is. I’m taking you home.”

With another flap of his wings, we entered the portal and went from darkness to a brilliant light.

“This has to be heaven,” I said breathless.

He placed his warm cheek against mine and whispered in my ear.

“Welcome to Grandia, Emma.”

Excitement and anticipation filled me and then he asked, “Would you like to fly?”

My answer was quick. “No,” I breathed, “I don’t want to leave your arms.”

He kissed me and carefully twisted me around so I could take it all in.

Each one of my senses were on overload. The air was filled with the most unbelievable and indescribable sweetness. As I breathed in, I felt an overwhelming serenity come over me. There was a constant but gentle charge in the air, a transcendental promise of peace.

The scenery below was beyond breathtaking, stimulating my sight. The variations of the glorious greens in the trees and grass, along with the kaleidoscope of colored flowers were the brightest and most picturesque I had ever seen. The sky was the bluest blue, the clouds the whitest white, and the water was crystal clear, in soft hues of turquoise.

Grandia was a world untainted and unpolluted by mortal hands. Here existed the perfect utopian world, a fantasy designed for immortal beings to dwell. It was pure and without blemish, a place filled with warmth and light, where darkness was nonexistent. A place free of corruption and sin.

Kade dove down and flew across a field of green, making the velvety grass wave as we passed over. In the distance, I saw a small cottage settled close to the edge of a river. The landscape was what I imagined being around a palace. It looked so inviting, like it was created just for us.

I gasped. “Is that—?”

“Ours,” he whispered.

As he landed, I turned toward him. The bond was powerful, unyielding, and vigorous. Although Grandia was beautiful, beyond what I could have ever imagined, at this very moment there was nothing I wanted more than him.

“And now, my wife,” he spoke with a tender voice. “We seal the bond.”

He led me to the front door, and twisted the knob to open it. Before I could take another breath, he swooped me up into in his strong arms, kicked the door open, and carried me inside.

He placed me down, and we stood in the quiet, facing each other. The dim light of candles flickered against his porcelain skin. The soft sound of his measured breaths slowly started to calm the thunderous beating of my heart.

He took his shirt off, throwing it to the side. His finely sculpted muscles were tight, and gleamed in the light. I lifted my hand and slid my fingers down his defined chest; his body tensing under my touch.

A breathless whisper escaped his lips. “Emma.”

When I looked up, his eyes were glazed over with desire. I stood there motionless, as intense emotion filled me. Every fiber in my being longed to touch him, and to be touched by him.

His hands suddenly brushed over my head, settling at the back of my neck. And then, he kissed me. His tongue, warm and wet, swept across my lips; his hand pressed on the small of my back making me arch into him. Waves of ecstasy and longing raged out of control.

He picked me up and carried me into another room, and laid me on a bed as soft as a cloud. As his body pressed on top of mine, I clung to his shoulders.

Abandoning all restraint, we became slaves to our carnal desires.

Caressed in his arms, we lay uncovered. Our bodies intertwined, gliding and trembling with unfathomable pleasure and fulfillment, finally melting together in sacred union. Our hearts and bodies bound, sealed with an invisible and unbreakable bond.

WE STAYED IN GRANDIA FOR a few days, before returning to the mortal world. As much as I wanted to stay, I knew we needed to go back.

Jeremy and Lia returned to L.A. and we kept in close contact. I spent some time explaining everything in detail; from the crash to the wedding. Being my best friends, they completely understood, and continued to love me for who I was. Lia assured me we were, and would always remain ‘best friends forever’.

I believed her.

Alaine had headstones made and placed in the family cemetery, and we had a small ceremony in remembrance of our fallen heroes – Danyel, Malachi, and James. I asked for a special area to plant a tree, in memory of Ethon, and I chose an oak. It reminded me of the portal into his secret escape. Kade helped me plant it, knowing the significance and how he affected both our lives.

Dominic and Thomas returned to Midway to await their next assignments, and as soon as they left, I missed them. They were a part of our family, but promised to visit us from time to time. They also assured us that if any trouble should arise, they would be there for us. We knew we could always count on them.

Alaine gave us the cottage at the back of her house, and we agreed to stay there for a while so we could continue to build our relationship. But we did travel back and forth to Grandia to visit his parents, and to have some quality alone time.

It was night in the cottage behind Alaine’s house, and we were snuggled under the covers. I shared the dream I’d once had of us lying on the grass, watching our children play near the water.

“It will happen one day,” he whispered, kissing my forehead.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Maybe down the road… a long, long way down the road. I won’t bring children into this world, knowing at any given moment we could be attacked. Do you think we will ever be free from Lucifer or his Fallen?” I questioned.

He smiled, wrapping me tight in a warm embrace.

“No one here is ever completely free from darkness. When the darkness comes, we will meet it head on. And we will defeat it
together
.”

I nodded and snuggled closer to him.

“I love you, Emma,” he whispered, brushing his fingers down my back.

“And, I love you,” I replied automatically. The words came without effort, flowing straight from my soul and out through my mouth. They were the surest and truest words I had ever spoken to anyone.

We lay in each other’s arms, our bodies consummated, and our hearts sealed by the powerful magic of the angelic bond. It was all we ever needed. The strength of our bond, the certainty of our love, and the rest of eternity to live it…

Cameo Renae was born in San Francisco, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and recently moved with her husband and children to Alaska.

She's a daydreamer, a caffeine and peppermint addict, loves to laugh, loves to read, and loves to escape reality. One of her greatest joys is creating fantasy worlds filled with adventure and romance, and sharing it with others. 

One day she hopes to find her own magic wardrobe, and ride away on her magical unicorn. Until then...she'll keep writing!